Posted tagged ‘Southville’

Independent brewery the Bristol Beer factory has won one of the UK’s top food and drink awards, recognising not just its beers but its role in regenerating South Bristol.

The brewery in Southville won the title of Best Drinks Producer in the BBC Food and Farming Awards and will be included in a special awards programme to be aired on BBC Radio Four at noon on Friday (November 25).

The shortlisted entrants were decided on votes from the public and the winners by an expert panel of judges chaired by chef and restaurateur Richard Corrigan.

Bristol Beer Factory

George Ferguson, founder of the Bristol Beer Factory said: “We see this as an accolade for Bristol and the craft beer industry as a whole and feel very lucky to be representing independent brewers up and down the country who put so much care and attention into producing high quality craft beers.

“We strongly believe that independent local businesses, whatever they are, are capable of producing higher quality products and services than national mass-producers. We make a truly local beer – using local suppliers and materials and re-investing in the area.”

The judges liked the fact that the Bristol Beer Factory is at the heart of the community in Southville and Ashton and central to the regeneration of the area.

They also loved the Brewery’s “Twelve Stouts of Christmas” idea of a dozen beers specially-created to celebrate the festive season, including one made with fresh raspberries, which are being launched this Saturday (26th November).

Bristol Beer Factory was founded six years ago after a chance conversation in Bristol’s Tobacco Factory theatre and arts venue, when Mr Ferguson decided to buy the under-threat building which now houses the brewery. Originally known as the Ashton Gate Brewery, which boasted 120 pubs in the area, it was closed after Georges’ Brewery took it over in 1933.

The Bristol Beer Factory is having an Open Day at the brewery this Saturday to launch the Twelve Stouts of Christmas.